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Malaysian Invention aNd Design Society MINDS Newsletter

January 2017 (PP 18717/03/2015(034152) (Free to members only)

Who Created the Chinese Zodiac?

When it comes to who created the Chinese zodiac, one of the more popular fables regarding the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac involves the great Buddha. Buddha, after deciding to throw a large Chinese New Year party, sought to invite all the animals in the kingdom to partake of his feasts. Unfortunately for Buddha and his generous invitation, only twelve animals chose to come. Fable has it that order of the animals' arrival dictated the order in which they appear in the Chinese zodiac. The Rooster ranked 10th in the order of the 12 animal zodiac.

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THE FUTURE IS ALREADY HERE – Academician Emeritus Professor Tan Sri Datuk Dr Omar Abdul Rahman How would you like to sit down to a breakfast of 3D printed

pasta, with slices of ‘non-meat bacon’ and later to have

lunch of grilled marine fish that has been reared in ‘third-

water; and finally to enjoy a dinner of green food? All of the

above while sitting on ‘natural furniture’, that is, table and

chairs that are naturally grown and not made in a factory.

All the above is now possible with new inventions. Indeed they are already commercially available. A Silicon Valley company called Impossible Foods is developing plant-based hamburger patties that look, taste and bleed like meat patties. The invention of ‘magic water’ or ‘third water’ by Professor Thoshimasa Yamamoto of Okayama University of Science in Japan, in which marine fish can be reared thus enabling

the culture of marine fish to be undertaken far away from the sea. ‘Magic Water’ amazingly can also support both marine fish and fresh water fish in the same tank at the same time. There is an amazing new invention that will change the manufacturing industry for ever and with repercussions in other industrial sectors. This is the 3D Printing or additive manufacturing. Not only ordinary solid objects, but car and even airplane parts can be 3D printed. A variation of 3D is 3D knitting and full dresses can be made in this way. Reports in the recent issue of Nature Biology describe the 3D printing of living body parts.

The ‘non-meat bacon’ mentioned is a red seaweed called ‘dulse’

which was created and cultivated by researchers in Oregon State

University at Hatfield, which is rich in minerals, vitamins, proteins

and antioxidants and which tastes just like bacon when fried!

The brainchild of Gavin Munro of Derbyshire in England is ‘grown furniture’. He grows chairs, tables, lampshades and other items directly by ‘training willow trees to grow into the desired shapes’, using the espalier process of training trees.

Where Invention Thrives, the Economy Flourishes

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Oils and Fats International Congress Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur 19-21 October 2016

The biennial event organised by Malaysian Oil Scientists’ and Technologists’ Association (MOSTA) took place at Hotel Istana Kuala Lumpur from 19 October 2016 to 21 October 2016 with renowned scientists and technologists as well as leaders in oils and fats from around the world gathered together to share and disseminate latest technology and research to a packed crowd. The theme for this year’s OFIC is Global Trends In Oils & Fats: Pathways to 2025”. OFIC 2016 has a number of attractions to Traders and Members of the Oils and Fats Industries including the Malaysian and Indonesian Palm Oil industries. A total of 475 participants went to Sime Darby Plantation in Carey Island as part of their Technical Visit on the first day of OFIC. The Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, YB Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong officiated the event with a keynote address, he said that intensifed research and development efforts should be made concurrently to recruit and nurture young research workers.

YB Dato Seri Mah Siew Keong Field visit to Sime Darby Plantation in Carey Island

Prof Yang Yuexin, one of the speakers, reported that cocoa butter (67% saturated), Palm Olein (40% saturated) and virgin olive oil induced similar levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) in a human trial done in China, giving evidence for the sn-2 Hypothesis. Prof Yang Yuexin, President of Chinese Nutrition Society; Director，Researcher and Doctoral supervisor in the Institute for Nutrition and Food Safety of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention;

In concluding the Congress, there was a general consensus from the participants including the

panel speaker from Indonesia that the Government of each country has played and should

continue its efforts in the welfare of the palm oil industry. MOSTA also thanked ISF and MPOB for

their collaboration which the event a success.

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Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF)

MINES International Exhibition 4-6 November 2016 The importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education is the reason behind the concerted move by KLESF to ignite the interest of STEM in youths. This is the third year of KLESF’s existence, with the participation of the industry, NGOs, government agencies, schools and the maker community, the number of schools taking part has doubled. The mental literacy programmes and also robotic competitions have also been introduced in KLESF 2016.

MINDS was given a booth there to educate the public on the importance of being creative and

inventive. Datuk Dr Choo Yuen May, Honorary VP of MINDS was present at the opening

ceremony, which was attended by YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Bt Hj Shukri and also YB Datuk

Wira Dr Abu Bakar bin Mohamad Diah.

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GLOBAL MINDS CAMP 28-29 November 2016 Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Megah Petaling Jaya

Howard Gardner defines intelligence as “the capacity to solve problems or to fashion products that are valued in one or more cultural setting”. Using biological as well cultural research, he formulated a list of seven intelligences which differs greatly from the traditional verbal and computational intelligences. The seven intelligences which Gardner defines are Logical-Mathematical, Linguistic, Spatial, Musical, Bodily-Kinesthetic and Personal (which includes interpersonal and intrapersonal) Intelligences. MINDS held a school holiday camp for children 9-12 years of age at the SK Taman Megah, PJ, covering the 7 intelligences. This camp allowed the participants to develop leadership, social and physical skills. It also helped the children to learn about team building, working in groups and interacting with others of different nationality and culture. The International Medical University sponsored 10 children from the Dignity for Children Foundation for the camp. A total of 22 children registered for the camp. Children were taught about the different types of soil found in the garden, they get to feel the different texture of the soil and also planted some seedlings which they get to take home. In the art class, children did template painting and also taught to observe the shape and texture of leaves as well as they were taught colour mixing. During the Kinesthetic session, children were given a free hand to design a Blinking sharp light from light emitting diode, ping pong ball and ion wire which is part of the electronic art for kids from the magic creative planet.

You got to mix this soil with this and that in the right proportion before you put in the seed

Children from the Dignity Foundation showing off their Blinking Sharp Light

Rembrandt in the making - getting their colours right

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Based on the Kodaly method, children were taught hand signs, vocal expressions and body movements to internalise the music of different rhythms and beats through singing some familiar tunes with new composed lyrics. The aim of this session is to have fun in music making.

The Kodaly method – using hand signs to represents the notes

Inter and Intra personal session, children learnt about leadership through experiential activities. They learnt about responsibility and for things to change, they need to first change, and this concept is discovered through the string game. Instead of blaming others they look into what they can do and improve about themselves. They also learnt about overcoming their fears as fear stands for false evidence appearing real and how taking the first step can help them become more courageous. The children were also taught about the importance of learning and that learning can be fun through balloon sculpturing and how creativity can help them solve different problems in their life. As for the logical session, the children learnt about how maths can be fun through magic and craft. They were told to look for patterns and develop their curiosity by asking different questions. The children also taght about the importance of gratitude by making appreciation cards for their loved ones. The children went away from the camp feeling good about themselves and said that they have benefitted much from the 2-day camp.

A group photo of the children with their coaches

Children expressing themselves through play acting

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Malaysia Commercialisation Year (MCY) Summit 8-9 December 2016 Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre As Malaysia moves towards achieving developed nation status by 2020, there is a need to raise all innovative and commercialisation pursuits in all facets. The MCY Summit was held to showcase the latest progress and achievements of commercialisation activities under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). During the summit, relevant institutions and their partners were selected amongst 150 special KPIs for best products or services, whereby a total prize of RM1mil will go towards assisting the top deserving technopreneurs to enhance their commercialisation achievements and help them enter the highly competitive market. Prof Stephen Ong, a member of MINDS and also a Commercialisation expert was one of the judges for the Best Product/Service Award Competition. The summit also hosted field experts in discussions revolving start-ups, innovation and technology, as well as taking an innovation from a research level to the open market.

In line with MOSTI’s Malaysian Commercialisation Year, MINDS held its

2nd Commercialisation workshop from 21-23 December 2016 at the

MINDS office. The sessions were conducted by Prof Stephen Ong,

who is the author of Innovation Space™, a method to evaluate the

commercial potential of innovation projects. Topics covered in this

workshop were Technical Analysis &Innovation Mapping,

Understanding Market Needs & Penetration and also Business Venture

Feasibility Assessment.

Prof Stephen Ong with Datuk Seri Panglima Madius Tangau

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Closing Date for Registration : 10 March 2017 For further information please contact: Ms S F Dong at 03-71182062 Email: minds.secretariat@gmail.com

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Closing Date for Registration : 10 March 2017 For further information please contact: Ms S F Dong at 03-71182062 Email: minds.secretariat@gmail.com

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HIGHLIGHTS

Creating a Buzz at ITEX 2017 Startups Showcase! Almost all businesses engage in a series of substantial effort in transforming lucrative ideas into viable business opportunities. Gaining initial recognition from investors followed by market validations is what startups essentially need to take off. Acting as an accelerator, ITEX 2017 Startups Showcase will help facilitate business needs and move them in the right direction while providing an enabling environment for stimulating engagements to flourish. Activities such as pitching session are designed to give startups valuable face time with the right investors whom are equally as keen to place their bet on the next big thing. To top it off, the Malaysian Government has declared 2017 as the “Startup & SME Promotion Year”. ITEX 2017 Startups Showcase will definitely be a viable and relevant platform that provides multiple opportunities for businesses to connect with the right crowd.

Concurrent Exhibition: WYIE (World Young Inventors Exhibition) The place where young innovative leaders of tomorrow come out to play today! The WYIE is a showcase of hundreds of ingenious creations by young minds from participating Asian and European countries. WYIE is an overarch event for ITEX’s two annual flagship shows for budding inventors: the Asian Young Inventors Exhibition (AYIE) and the Malaysian Young Inventors Exhibition (MYIE). These exhibitions will take on a new look fuelled by better and bigger awe-inspiring ideas. The setting for WYIE will be meticulously planned to stimulate conduciveness in areas of thought flow, ideas exchange and to challenge the creativity and innovativeness among young minds.

Concurrent Exhibition: ACE (Arts and Creativity Exhibition) The Objectives of ACE is to actively encourage creative imagination, both in writing and in

drawing and to improve the English Language skills.

The programme takes the form of a competition titled Write and Illustrate, and culminates

in an exhibition. The theme for ACE 2017 will be “A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever:

Showcasing Malaysian Heritage”. As in previous years, the competition is open to three

categories of students in Malaysia, and they are Primary School pupils, Secondary School

pupils and the Undergraduates in Institution of Higher Learning.

All participants are required to write a creative story based on the theme, and submit it with

an accompanying drawing related to the story. In order to aid teachers to better prepare

their students for this competition, MINDS will be organising a one-day event which

comprises talks related to inventions as well as workshops on creative writing and

illustration covering the theme for the English and Art teachers.

In line with MINDS’ objectives of encouraging Malaysians to not only be inventive but also

creative, the work of the winners and shortlisted entries of ACE 2016 will be exhibited

during the ITEX 2017 at the KLCC between May 11-13, 2017. It is our hope that the public

will be able to appreciate the remarkable inventiveness as well as the creativeness of our

Malaysian students as they put their thoughts and ideas into a form that people can

appreciate.

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MOSTA OIL PALM Best Practices Workshop 2017

“RECIPE FOR HIGH , SUSTAINABLE OIL PALM YIELDS”

Dates: 12 – 14 September 2017 Venue: Kinta Riverfront, Ipoh, Perak

Day 1 & Day 2 - Seminar cum Panel Discussion Sessions

Day 3 - Field Workshop & Discussions Lower Perak Estates

Organised by

For further information call Michelle of MOSTA at 03-71182062

Email: mosta.secretariat@gmail.com

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Membership No Name of Member 2147 Dr Ali Sobhanmanesh 2148 Mohammad Hossein Mehrabi 2149 AP Dr Maher Fouad Sefein 2150 Chee Lean Phaik (Rita Goh) 2151 Eagle City Group Sdn Bhd 2152 Wan Nurul Rukiah Bt Wan Rasdi 2153 Dr Chai Siang Piao 2154 Tan Bok Hooi (Alex) 2155 Hariss Paremes Sivam 2156 Suhana Bt Mohamed 2157 Aznilinda Zainuddin 2158 Scott Su 2159 Dr Lam Wei Haur

JOKES AND RIDDLES There is a fine line between riddles and jokes. They can tax your brain, surprise your senses, and make you laugh. A Joke a Day Keeps the Doctor Away!

1) Name an ancient invention that allows people to see through. 2) Why did the king go to the dentist? 3) What is the smallest bridge in the world? 4) Why did the outlaw go to the river? 5) Why did the pilot sit on her alarm clock? 6) Where do you take a sick pirate ship? 7) When is the moon heaviest? 8) Who does the ocean date? 9) What has 22 legs and 2 wings? Answers: 1) window 2) a crown 3) the bridge of your nose 4) he heard it has two banks 5) she wanted to be on

time 6) to the dock 7) when it is full 8) it goes out with the tide 9) a football team

Patrons: YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad YBhg Tan Sri Law Hieng Ding MINDS Executive Committee (2016-2018) Academician Tan Sri Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Augustine S H Ong – President Datuk Dr Choo Yuen May – Vice President Mr Myocho Kan – Hon. Secretary Ms Christine Ong – Hon. Treasurer Committee Members Dr Loo Koi Sang Mr Tan Kim Seng Dato’ Dr Cheah Cheng Huat Major Munusamy Mr Robest Yong Executive Secretary – Ms S F Dong Editor – Ms Chrys Tee Malaysian Invention & Design Society C3A-10, 4th Floor Block C Damansara Intan 1 Jalan SS20/27 47400 PJ Tel: 03-71182062 HP: 012-9032312 Email: minds.invent@gmail.com Website: www.minds.com.my Percetakan Soon Lee Heng Sdn Bhd 15 Jalan Besar, Selayang Baru 68100 Batu Caves

Selangor